AIDS charity welcomes Diana concert

The National AIDS Trust (NAT) has expressed delight at being part of next year's memorial concert for the late Princess Diana

The National AIDS Trust (NAT) has expressed delight at being part of next year’s memorial concert for the late Princess Diana.

Princes William and Harry yesterday unveiled plans for a Concert for Diana, to celebrate their mother’s life, and to raise money for several charities including those she was a patron of.

This includes the National AIDS Trust, Deborah Jack, chief executive of the National AIDS Trust said: “Princess Diana made such an enormous difference to people living with HIV and AIDS, particularly in helping to break down stigma and discrimination.

“As the National AIDS Trust’s patron, Princess Diana tirelessly supported our work to improve the lives of people living with HIV.

“Any funds generated by the concert will enable us to continue our crucial campaigning work and carry on her legacy.”

A memorial service will be held on August 31st, followed by a tribute concert on July 1st, Diana’s birthday.

Performers at the event, to be held at Wembley Stadium, so far include gay singing legend Sir Elton John, who brought the nation to tears with his rendition of Candle in the Wind, at her funeral.

Andrew Lloyd Webber, the English National Ballet, Duran Duran and Joss Stone have also so far been named on the bill.

Prince William said: “We both wanted to put our stamp on it. We want it to represent exactly what our mother would have wanted and how she was.

“The church service alone isn’t enough, we wanted to have this big concert, full of energy, full of the sort of fun and happiness which I know she would have wanted.

“It’s got to be the best birthday present she ever had. The main purpose is to celebrate and to have fun and to remember her in a fun way.”

Prince Harry said: “The service is going to include both sides of the family, our mother’s side and our father’s side – everyone getting together. It should be a good occasion and lots of loud hymns.”

The Concert for Diana will raise money for Centrepoint and Sentebale as well as the Diana Memorial Fund and her five main charities that she was patron of, or had a great deal of interest in.

Tickets, priced £45, are available now via the website www.concertfordiana.com.